Hoosiers pound Middle Tennessee State behind Hobbie’s gem

In a game the Hoosiers needed for confidence boost more than anything after losing the previous three, the club pulled through in dashing fashion, beating Middle Tennessee State 12-1. Brian Hobbie was tremendous on the mound going 6.0 IP and only giving up one run on three hits. Indiana flashed its offensive potential today as well with 23 hits and 12 runs.

The Hoosiers started the day off hot with Hobbie breezing through the Blue Raiders in the Top of the 1st. The bats heating up in the bottom half of the inning, however, no runs after as the Hoosiers loaded the bases with no outs but were unable to plate anyone. The next four innings, though, saw 12 runs come the Hoosiers way with seven in the 3rd inning alone. In that span, the Hoosiers had 18 hits — 15 singles, 2 doubles, and Alex Krupa’s first career home run that led off the Bottom of the 3rd. Seven Hoosiers had multiple hits on the day with Craig Dedelow smacking a game-high five.

While the Hoosiers offense was lighting up the scoreboard, Hobbie was keeping MTSU off of it. He only gave up one hit through five innings. Hobbie finally hobbled a bit in the 6th when he gave up 2 singles and then a fielder’s choice that scored one for the Blue Raiders. He followed the run up with a fly out and another fielder’s choice to end the top of the 6th. Brian was spelled after the 6th inning. Beauchamp, Littleton, and Krueger came on in relief for Hobbie and didn’t give up anything. Hobbie improved to 1-1 on the season as he picked up the win.

The pitching staff for MTSU had a bit tougher of a go at it as starter, Carson Lester, gave up eight runs, six earned, on 11 hits in just 2+ IP. Tanner McDivitt came on in relief of Lester and gave up the remaining four runs on eight hits in 2.2 IP pitched. Caleb Smith finally came on and stopped the bleeding for the Blue Raiders as he finished out the game giving up four hits, but striking out four Hoosiers.

Indiana (5-7-1) will take on MTSU (8-6) in the rubber match tomorrow starting at 3:05 at Bart Kaufman field.